I dislike dealing with rumors in this blog. I would rather report just facts. If and when rumors become reality, I will report them. But, today I will make a few exceptions as these rumors come from usually reliable sources.
First, from Apple. Rumor says the next big Apple announcement will come on or around Sept. 19. They will announce new iPhones…a 4.7” model and a 5.5” model. The current iPhones are 4”. So millions of people (including me) can hardly wait for the new larger models. But the current rumor is that the 5.5” model may not be available until early 2015. Seems there may be production problems.
There are also rumors that Apple will finally release its iWatch that has been in the works for quite some time. With their recent hiring's of watch marketing experts, I think we will almost assuredly see it in Sept.
And speaking of watches, the very strong rumor is that the proposed Microsoft watch is not a watch…rather it's a Gear Fit-style health tracker that happens to deliver phone notifications and timekeeping. Also, I was going to tell you about a rumor that Microsoft was going to lay off up to 15,000 people, but just a short while ago, the boys from Redmond announced that 18,000 employees will be given their walking papers (see story #4).
There is one rumor out of Amazon that is close to becoming reality: they will shortly introduce an all-you-can-eat book rental program…for $10 a month you can borrow as many books as you want for your Kindle devices. They will put over 600,000 e-books and audio books into this library.
As for Google, Nexus rumors are out again and this time include new Nexus tablets including 6”, 8” and 9” models. If true, we shall see them, probably around the holiday season.
OK, that is enough stuff from the rumor mill. Let’s move forward now to what reality hold for all of us. -JRC
Tech News and Opinions
Move over, Windows; Google and Apple are movin’ in
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DDoS attacks intensified in first half of 2014
The volume and intensity of DDoS attacks in the first half of the year reached new heights, according to research.
Microsoft launches a price assault on Chromebooks
Microsoft is aiming straight for Google's Chromebooks this holiday season. At the company's partner conference today, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner revealed that HP is planning to release a $199 laptop running Windows for the holidays.
Microsoft lays off 18,000, including a third of Nokia
As expected, the axe fell at Microsoft on Thursday, but the depth of the cut is surprisingly brutal: 18,000 Microsoft employees will find themselves without jobs over the next year, and the company is "moving now" to eliminate the first 13,000 positions.
The FCC Is a Symbol for a Corrupt, Broken American Government
The FCC somehow publicly lost 500,000 public comments on a petition they were mandated to create. It might not matter, anyway. Telecoms are outlobbying net neutrality advocates 3:1. That's all that matters in all of American government.
Computer Tips and Tricks
14 Mozilla Articles to Help Make You a Better and Safer User of the Firefox Browser
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10 Simple, Time-Saving Computer Tricks
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What Keeps Waking My Computer Up?
Sleep mode is great for when you are not using your computer, but what do you do when ‘something’ is constantly waking it up? Today’s SuperUser Q&A post has some suggestions to help diagnose, and catch, the guilty culprit.
How to create an anonymous email account
This article is aimed at people who want anonymity, but the stakes if they’re found out aren’t at risk of death or imprisonment. Also keep in mind that no system is foolproof. But for most people, the instructions here should be good enough.
Chromebooks beyond the cloud: Everything Chromebooks can do offline
The basic complaint is that Chromebooks become nothing more than dumb, worthless, keyboard-equipped pieces of glass when your Internet is not working. Nothing could be further from the truth today.
Mobile Computing
Microsoft kills off its Nokia Android phones
Microsoft is planning to scrap its Nokia X Android efforts and replace them with Windows Phone in the future. The news comes as part of today's announcement that Microsoft is cutting 18,000 jobs in the next year. No surprise here.
The best calendar apps for iPad
We are big on making lists, organizing, and planning out our lives around here. One list is just not enough, especially if you use your iPad and iPhone for very different things. PS My favorite one is Calendars 5 by Readdle...it is fantastic and worth every penny.
The best weather app for Android
With smartphones, we can have insanely accurate weather reporting and predictions at our fingertips everywhere we go. Weather apps are a huge part of my daily routine
The best weather app for iPhone
Weather seems like a pretty mundane topic, so it may come as a surprise to some that the best weather apps are fun to play with and pretty to look at.
Lifehacker Pack for Android 2014: The Essential Android Apps
In just a few short years, Android has grown from a small project within Google to the most prolific mobile operating system on the planet. The app ecosystem has grown right along with it. In our annual Lifehacker Pack for Android, we chose the best, most useful and most essential apps you could ever need on your phone.
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